I am starting this campaign in hopes to save a small family business.  Sonny's Place is a community Dog Daycare, Boarding, and Grooming facility in Rose Hill Shopping Center located in Alexandria, Virginia.  The owner is my fearless mother, Martha Day. 

In 2018 my mother followed her dream of providing a safe and loving environment for all of the furry friends in our community.  She put her entire life savings and funds into it and created just that.  The wonderful establishment that was named Best in the Neighborhood in 2020 opened on July 21, 2018, with 1 customer.  In just under 3 years she has welcomed almost 800 more customers through the doors of Sonny's Place. 

However, March 2020 COVID-19 hit, and only a handful remained faithful to the business.  This fall things started to look up as business was increasing only to have the 2nd wave of COVID-19 bring things to a screeching halt.  Along with these challenges our family also experienced a medical crisis that put additional stress on Martha.   

At this point she has no choice but to close, she has acquired an enormous amount of debt and has lost everything.  In November she had applied for a Grant from Virginia when Governor Northam announced the 'Rebuild Virginia Program' which was grant funding for small businesses that were impacted by COVID-19.  Unfortunately, she was not awarded any funding.  This would have provided her the protection to remain in business into 2021 and beyond.  Without that funding, she had no choice but to meet with a Bankruptcy Attorney and will have no choice but to close on at the end of December.  

My mother's heart is broken, and she feels completely defeated.  

While we know this funding goal is enormous, it will help reduce her current liability as well as provide protection and funding to remain open through her lease commitment.  This will ensure when everyone returns to work and normalcy Sonny's Place will be there to welcome your dogs and cats. 

I realize times are tough for everyone and this couldn't have happened at a worse time of year with the holidays but anything you can spare will help my Mom try to keep Sonny’s Place alive.